NEW YORK, NY.- Patricia Barbizet, CEO of Artémis and Non-Executive Chairman of Christies (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Artémis) announced today that Edward Dolman, the long-time CEO of Christies, has been promoted to Chairman of Christies International plc and that Steven Murphy succeeds Mr. Dolman as CEO. These changes are effective immediately.

Steven Murphy has held several senior executive positions in the media industry, most recently serving as President and CEO of Rodale Inc., the US based publishing company.

Ed has demonstrated exceptional leadership during his tenure as CEO, said Mrs. Barbizet, seeing the Company through a period of unprecedented change and growth. Eds proven success in leading the business will bode well in his new role as Chairman with ongoing focus on business development. Now adding Steven, with his leadership experience and business acumen, gives us the strongest possible management combination to lead Christies forward.

Edward Dolman said: I am excited and honoured to have been named Chairman of the Company I joined 26 years ago and I look forward to providing leadership and strategic advice to Steven, the Board and my colleagues as we work together to strengthen and expand our business.

It is a privilege to have been entrusted with the position of CEO of Christies, said Mr. Murphy. I look forward to working with Ed Dolman, and everyone at Christies to build on this Companys great success, help Christies reach new markets and provide unparalleled service and value to all of our constituencies.

Mr. Dolman and Mr. Murphy will each report directly to Mrs. Barbizet and the Christies Board in their respective new roles. Mr. Dolman will focus on business development and client relationships at the senior-most levels. Mr. Murphy will be responsible for the overall strategy and management of all of the Companys operating units.

Steven Murphy served as the President of Rodale Inc. for a decade beginning in 2000 and was CEO from 2002. Prior to joining Rodale, he held the position of Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Disney Publishing Worldwide since 1998. From 1991 to 1998, he led a record label group for EMI music as President of EMI Music/Angel Records. From 1985 to 1991, Mr. Murphy headed a publishing group for Simon & Schuster, as a division President. Mr. Murphy holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Georgetown University.

Edward Dolman was appointed CEO in December 1999 and has directed Christies new business development and strategy and enhanced Christies operations on a global basis. Leading Christies through great change, Mr. Dolman shaped new operations, technology and business strategy to seize trends in the market which include a shift to modernism and a rapidly expanding global client base. Mr. Dolman has played and will continue to play a key role in winning the major consignments that have led to some of the most important sales in the Companys history, firmly positioning Christies as the worlds leading art business.

Mr. Dolman has over 26 years of experience with Christies. Prior to his appointment as CEO he was Managing Director of Christies Europe and also served as Managing Director of Christie's Americas and Christies Amsterdam, building those salerooms into highly profitable business venues. He joined Christies in 1984 and after several years as a European furniture specialist, he became a director and a department head.